Asthma is a long-term medical condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Children and young people with asthma have airways that are almost always red and sensitive (inflamed). Asthma triggers then irritate these airways, causing them to react.
When a child or young person with asthma comes into contact with an asthma trigger, the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Often sticky mucus or phlegm is produced. These reactions lead to the symptoms of asthma.
The asthma section of ‘Medical Conditions at School: A Policy Resource Pack’ provides information to school staff on asthma, including its symptoms, medication and treatments, triggers and emergency procedures.
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